Contact: Crystal Drake, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Tuskegee has confirmed two developing opportunities in Belize and Liberia that are moving the university forward in pursuit of a wider global enrollment pipeline. Since its inception, Tuskegee’s embrace has been global and that connection to the world continues, making us stronger together.
“Our founding principal, Booker T. Washington traveled beyond the United States many times to learn, to teach and to facilitate advancement for people of African descent,” said Thierno Thiam, Ph.D., Provost and Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs. “So, the idea that during Tuskegee’s Renaissance Era we are partnering with leaders in Liberia and Belize is deeply organic to the Tuskegee legacy.”
Tuskegee University recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Belize to develop a framework by which students from the University of Belize can more easily transfer to Tuskegee University to complete Masters-and Ph.D.-level coursework. Dr. Vincent Palacio, president of the University of Belize, visited the Tuskegee campus to meet with Dr. Mark A. Brown, president and CEO, to formalize the new relationship.
On Dec. 9, the Tuskegee delegation will include Dr. Brown, Dr. Thiam, Dr. Raymon Shange, 1890 Extension Administrator, Karl Mentor, a member of Tuskegee’s Board of Trustees, and Archbishop Dr. Jerry Jones to meet with the President of Liberia, Joseph Boakai, in Monrovia to discuss ways to increase recruitment opportunities for doctoral students and expand research opportunities.
Tuskegee recently reached a 10-year high in total enrollment, at 3366, and the university has the capacity to welcome many more in both graduate and undergraduate programs across academic disciplines. The university is actively working toward R2 research status and these expanded partnerships will accelerate enrollment of talented students from across the globe.
The R2 designation is an important marker of research in higher education, with 139 institutions currently recognized with the prestigious status for their contributions to research and development. The scale was introduced in 1970, by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.
Tuskegee’s international student population increased by 100 percent in 2024-2025, enriching the learning experience for all students through the sharing of broader perspectives and lived experiences.
“I attribute a great deal of my personal and academic development to my experiences as a student at Tuskegee, engaging with international students from places that, at the time, seemed so far away," said Dr. Mark A. Brown ’86, president and CEO. “The close proximity to these scholars – in class, on campus, in the community – was a priceless gift to me. It brought to life for me our shared humanity and also how much I had to learn about the world.”
© 2025 Tuskegee University
